CONSULTANTS

William D. Rubin, President

As president of The Rubin Group, William Rubin represents clients before the Florida Senate, the Florida House of Representatives, the Governor and the Florida Cabinet, as well as Florida’s various state agencies.

His practice also includes representing clients before local governments throughout South Florida. In addition to lobbying, Rubin serves as a key advisor to many large companies, with a focus on advising health care companies in Florida, including helping get early-stage companies off the ground.

In addition, Rubin’s extensive experience in the strategy and management of statewide and local campaigns has been a valuable asset to numerous candidates and public officials.

Prior to founding The Rubin Group, Rubin had a distinguished record of accomplishment in both the public and private sectors. He began his career working for Florida’s Attorney General as an executive assistant and later joined the Florida Department of Insurance, where he rose to the position of assistant insurance commissioner and treasurer. Throughout his tenure with the Department of Insurance, he was active with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the National Association of State Treasurers.

As assistant commissioner, he was directly responsible for all activities related to the Florida State Board of Administration, the agency that manages the investments for Florida’s pension funds. In addition, he served as the department’s chief legislative lobbyist overseeing the department’s legislative agenda.

Additionally, Rubin is the former Chairman of the Pompano Farmers Market Authority and has served as a board member for the Story Theatre, a not-for-profit corporation helping to introduce underprivileged young people to live theater. Rubin also currently serves on the State Board of the Ounce of Prevention.

Rubin received his Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Florida, where he was inducted into the University of Florida Hall of Fame and Florida Blue Key; and, he currently resides in Broward County, Fla., with his wife Lys and daughter Michelle.

Heather L. Turnbull, Partner

Heather Turnbull serves The Rubin Group as partner. As a member of the firm since 2003, Turnbull represents clients as a governmental consultant before the Miami-Dade County Commission, Broward County Commission, Broward County School Board and the Palm Beach County Commission, as well as the Florida State Legislature, Florida State Executive Branch and the Florida Cabinet.

In addition, Turnbull manages the political and campaign operations on behalf of The Rubin Group and serves as an advisor to candidates and elected officials on a wide range of political and campaign issues.

Turnbull began her career in politics as a legislative assistant in the Florida House of Representatives and previously worked as a governmental consultant before the Florida Legislature for a former member of the U.S. Congress. In addition, she is a licensed attorney and practiced civil litigation prior to her work at The Rubin Group.

Turnbull received a dual Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Sociology from Centenary College of Louisiana and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Arkansas. She is a licensed member of the Arkansas Bar, Florida Bar and The District of Columbia Bar; and, is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida.

Chris Finkbeiner, Vice President

Chris Finkbeiner serves The Rubin Group as a vice president, bringing extensive experience serving in senior roles in the Executive Office of the Governor, the Florida Legislature and numerous Florida campaigns.

Finkbeiner most recently served as the Policy Director for Governor Rick Scott’s successful re-election campaign, overseeing the development of the campaign’s policy initiatives and advising the campaign on a variety of issues.

Prior to joining the Governor’s re-election campaign, Finkbeiner served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Chief Policy Advisor for the Executive Office of the Governor. Previously, Finkbeiner served as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the President of the Florida Senate. A graduate of the University of Florida, Finkbeiner is also a veteran of numerous campaigns throughout Florida.

He resides in Tallahassee with his wife, Brittany, and their two sons.

Melissa S. Akeson, Governmental Consultant

Melissa S. Akeson serves as a governmental consultant with The Rubin Group. Akeson represents clients before local governments and school boards in South Florida, the State Legislature and Florida’s executive branch.

In addition to her knowledge of governmental relations, Akeson has more than ten years of combined experience serving in the Florida Legislature, Florida’s executive branch and the Florida Cabinet.

Before her consulting career, Akeson served as a legislative aide in both the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate. She also served in the Cabinet Affairs Office for a Florida cabinet member. Additionally, Akeson has experience directly working for statewide elected officials, including Florida’s Education Commissioner and Attorney General.

Akeson is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and she currently resides in Tallahassee, Fla.

Amy Bisceglia, Governmental Consultant

Amy Bisceglia serves as a governmental consultant with The Rubin Group. Bisceglia represents clients before the State Legislature, Florida's Executive Branch, and local governments in South Florida.

In addition to her knowledge of governmental relations, Bisceglia has experience working in the Florida Senate, the Florida Governor's Office and within Florida's Executive Branch. Before her consulting career, Bisceglia served as a legislative aide in the Senate President's Office and on the executive team in the Governor's Office. She also served in the Communications Department at the Florida Lottery.

Bisceglia is a graduate of the Florida State University with a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Public Relations and she currently resides in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

Matthew F. Sacco, Governmental Consultant

Matt Sacco joined The Rubin Group in 2017 in the role of Government Consultant where he lobbies at the state and local level on behalf of the firm’s diverse portfolio of clients. Rubin Group clients and issues span nearly every industry including commercial and residential real estate development, airline, hotels/resorts, health
care, restaurants, gaming, medicinal marijuana, transportation, auto, pharmaceuticals, finance, insurance, communications, retail, wine and spirits, sports franchises, entertainment venues, advocacy groups, unions, counties, cities, government agencies and more.

Prior to accepting his current position, Sacco spent three years as Sr. Vice President of Strategy for Roc Nation where he oversaw the company’s branding department which focused on business development and strategic partnerships for the a diverse portfolio of artists, athletes, events, tours and other assets.

Sacco helped build the department from a staff of two to a staff of 25, generating millions of dollars in new business revenue each year while building out the department infrastructure, establishing a culture of aggressiveness and professionalism, developing consistent messaging and go-to- market strategies, and tailoring all programs and initiatives to the authentic passions and preferences of
each Roc Nation client.

Prior to joining Roc Nation, Sacco spent nine-plus years with Sunrise Sports & Entertainment, the Florida Panthers Hockey Club and the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla., most recently as Executive Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

His duties included handling communications, political and public affairs responsibilities for SSE and all of its operating entities, managing the company’s various online components including social media, overseeing all published collateral including magazines, media guides, game programs, etc., writing and
editing business-to- business communication, conceptualizing marketing campaigns and programs, and assisting with the development of sales and sponsorship presentations.

Sacco was also active in the community, having sat on the boards of Young At Art Children’s Museum, the Florida Sports Foundation and the Broward Health Foundation. He is also heavily involved with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society having been named LLS Man Of The Year Fort Lauderdale in 2012, and chairing the same campaign for 2013 and 2014.

Sacco also has experience as a published author, sports journalist and guest lecturer at major universities. In the past he has taught undergraduate students at New York University and been published in various media outlets including Inside Lacrosse Magazine, the New York Post, the Boston Herald, the Staten Island Advance, U.S. College Hockey Online and more.

A New York City native, Sacco was Editor-in- Chief of the Massachusetts Daily Collegian at the University of Massachusetts where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and a minor in English in 2003.

Erica Chanti, Governmental Consultant

Erica Chanti is a Government Consultant for The Rubin Group and lobbies at the state and local level for the firm’s diverse portfolio of clients.

Prior to joining the firm in late 2017, Chanti was Executive Director of the Miami-Dade Legislative
Delegation in Miami-Dade County's Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. In that role, Chanti coordinated
legislative issues with delegation members and key staff in Tallahassee, Miami-Dade County and the
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She managed the largest delegation in the state comprised of six
State Senators and 18 State House members.

As the Delegation’s lead representative since Dec. 2014, Chanti played a significant role in bringing
together constituents and delegation members through community meetings and public hearings.

Chanti began her career with the government and public relations firm Robert M. Levy & Associates in 2009, and has also played an active role working on over two dozen campaigns including state senators, representatives, judges and constitutional officers.

Chanti graduated from Florida State University in 2011 with a degree in Political Science and is also
extremely active in her community as a regular volunteer for Veteran and pediatric causes.

Having a working knowledge of government at all levels, the firm was formed with the purpose of helping clients navigate through a highly regulated world.

The Rubin Group serves as a liaison between those we represent and the government.